Marco Vidal says that he can understand what drove fellow Mexican-American Edgar Castillo to want to trade in his green Mexican jersey for the Red, White, and Blue.

Vidal should comprehend the situation intimately, as both players were born to Mexican parents just north of the border, but have found success professionally in the Mexican First Division.

"Edgar is just looking out for himself, you can't blame him," the Indios midfielder said of his dual-countryman. "Growing up to Mexican parents in America makes a player love both nations."

Vidal has indicated in the past that Mexico has shown interest in him for the Tricolor, though he has also said he would like to play for the USA. The Texas native says choosing between the US and Mexico for a dual national is basically an issue of figuring out where the player fits into the team's plans.

"Mexico calls him so he wears the green," observed Vidal. "Soon you realize you're not even being considered for the World Cup, and you switch colors to help out the country where you grew up."

Vidal says the process has something in common with other activities in life.

"It's like having a girlfriend," Vidal says. "You're loyal to her, but if she breaks your heart you go find another lady and hope she will treat you better."

The former FC Dallas player has become a regular in coach Hector Eugui's lineup just south of the border. Vidal was a prominent figure in Indios' semifinal run in the Clausura, and has started both of Indios' games in the early going of the 2009 Apertura. He played the full ninety over the weekend at defensive midfield as Indios fell to Santos on a late, controversial penalty.

"We played well but the ref handed Santos a penalty shot," Vidal said. "In fact that ref got suspended, the press is being hard on that ref too."

Vidal says he watched the Gold Cup, including the final in which a backup American team was thrashed by Mexico. Vidal says though he knows the US has a long list of defensive midfielders at its disposal, he couldn't help but feel he might have been able to help out at the Meadowlands.

"I watched the Gold Cup game, and it's a shame when you see guys playing your position and you know you can do a better job than them," Vidal said. "But my name is barely getting out there, so maybe one day I will get a call."

Vidal will likely see his next action this weekend when Indios host America in Ciudad Juarez. Indios are in fourth place in Group One with one point from their two games.

The guy deep down inside is a US hater. He does not have the speed to be on our backline. who's he to say he is better than the players on the national team. this guy just lost 5-0 and was part of the back line for Indios. Oh my bad, when they pulled him out it was only 2-0. His team was almost in last place last year and this year too. The MLS is not far (level) from Mexico. Arturo Alvarez plays for Puebla and does really well. I think he got cut from a US team. Nkong plays for Indios and the MLS didn't want him. C'mon people, the primera in Mexico is not far superior than MLS. Lance Watson for KC can play better than this guy. (trust me) Edgar is abandoning ship from Mexico because he does not have a future. He burned his bridges and is not mature or disciplined. the US can save him if we want to and he can start to glorify the US..his first choice was mexico, but now bridges have been burned, He was not overlooked in the US. he did not have the grades to go to college, colleges were interested.....but is he that good?

Matt

Tuesday August 11, 2009 3:54 am

I really don't get these guys (Castillo, Vidal). Mexico has given them an opportunity to make futbol a living and grow as a player and they have the nerve to even talk about which side they feel they should be on. Castillo should have never worn the jersey in the first place...then nobody would have cared. If they care so much about their countries, then both players should head to the MLS for a paycheck and to further help the league grow. I hope Mexicans never forget about people like Castillo who make these mal-educated decisions and expect for everything to be OK. He obviously is not a Mexican if he doesn't know what futbol means to the Mexican people.

Felix

Thursday August 6, 2009 6:51 pm

I'm no Marco Vidal expert, but from what I believe, his favored position is defensive midfield, which we are very deep at (probably our deepest position). So based on that, I doubt it, but I believe he also has played some left back for Indios as well. Which brings about two different arguments.
1) We are all aware of how thin the US is at LB. If he can play there, even as a backup position. Isn't it worth the risk, perhaps during the end of qualifying when we are already through.
2) Players who can play multiple positions are massive in tournament squads for various reasons. Not much else needs to be added to explain that.

If I were Bradley I would have called him in for the Gold Cup. But at the same time, someone should perhaps inform Vidal that putting demands on federations and criticizing possible future teammates is not the way to get called up.

Felix

Thursday August 6, 2009 9:45 am

I agree that Vidal should have been at the Gold Cup. Along with guys like Orozco and Whitbread (I would have brought Jemal Johnson too). But if I recall, Vidal made some sort of statement a few months back basically saying call me in or I'll go with Mexico (this is fuzzy in my mind, but I definitely remember him saying something like this). I can only imagine this did not play well with the conservative Bradley and USSF. If he keeps playing well with Indios though, BB can only ignore him for so long.

Max

Wednesday August 5, 2009 9:10 pm

Here is one of the young promising prospects that should have been on the GC roster if Bob were really serious about developing young talent. This guy starts regularly in the Mexican Primera- which is still a step up from MLS- and has done so with some success which is far more than many of the sad and sorry band who got spanked by Mexico can say. Unfortunately it seems like Bob is far too slow to recognize talent when it stares him in the face. (Case in point- had Ching been healthy for CC either Jozy or Charlie would probably have seen no playing time. that he put them on the field had very little to do with coaching and alot to do with necessity.) It would be great if Bob actually has learned something from the summer and in this case cap ties Vidal ASAP for the USA before Mexico does. Unfortunately given his clueless and meaningless comments after the GC final humiliation I'm not that hopeful. I said it before- the success in the CC Final should at most buy him some time. Given the Gold Cup I'd say the hot seat should be getting a bit more toasty.

BBB

Wednesday August 5, 2009 1:33 pm

"I watched the Gold Cup game, and it's a shame when you see guys playing your position and you know you can do a better job than them," Vidal said.

That's odd. I didn't realize we had any defensive midfielders in that (gawdawful) game.

Shawn M

Wednesday August 5, 2009 5:24 am

sounds like vidal leans toward playing for the US. would bradley call him in?

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